Story By: MARCIE BARLOW / RUSH RACING SERIES – PULASKI, PA – The various Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Racing Series divisions have battled Mother Nature as they have attempted to get the 2024 season started; but warmer temperatures finally prevailed as the month of April drew to a close.
Brock Pinkerous and Logan Reed recorded their names in the record books scoring victories in the first ever RUSH Late Model events held at the Albany-Saratoga and Muskingum County Speedways. In addition, Tim Shaffer captured the Herb Scott Memorial, which was the season opener for the Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series. Mother Nature has kept the RUSH Sprint Cars, Pro Mods, and Stock Cars from competing thus far this season.
The RUSH Late Model footprint continues to expand as both Albany-Saratoga Speedway in New York and the Muskingum County Speedway in central Ohio recorded their first ever RUSH-sanctioned events last weekend. Teenager Brock Pinkerous scored the $1,000 win on Friday night at Albany-Saratoga as he led the entire distance of the main event. Chad Homan, Demetrios Drellos, Rob Pitcher and Derrick McGrew, Jr. completed the top five. West Virginia competitor Logan Reed bested the field at Muskingum County to score the $1,000 victory over UMP Modified veteran Larry Holbrook, Jr., who made his RUSH Late Model debut. Thirteen-year-old Lincoln Smith, Ben Easler and Rusty Redman rounded out the top five.
The Hovis Auto & Truck Supply RUSH Dirt Late Model Flynn’s Tire/Gunter’s Honey Touring Series got their 2024 season underway at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 20 with the annual “Herb Scott Memorial” that attracted an event record 47 cars from eight different states plus Canada! National Sprint Car Hall of Famer Tim Shaffer and Brandon Burgoon, the 2023 City Chevrolet Track Pack Champion at Pittsburgh led the field to green. Shaffer took the top spot with Burgoon, Jared Miley, Brock Pinkerous and Daryl Charlier battling for positions two through five. Pinkerous slid by Shaffer on lap 14, however Shaffer was able to regain the lead on lap 18. Shaffer then went on to score the $4,000 victory over Pinkerous. Dave Hess, Jr., who started in 21st, came home in the third spot with Kyle Lukon and Logan Roberson rounding out the top five.
RUSH Late Model City Chevrolet Weekly Series action at Pittsburgh last Saturday night saw the trio of Ben Policz, Frank Magill and Daryl Charlier wage a great battle for the top spot. Magill led the event until mechanical woes sidelined him on lap 17. Policz inherited the top spot and went on to score the win in his season debut. Charlier came home second with Zach Gunn, Jake Gunn and Brian Huchko completing the top five.
Opening night at Genesee Speedway was a challenge as rain tried to ruin the night. With Woodhull Raceway cancelling earlier in the day, Jason Knowles made the trip up to Batavia, NY and grabbed the top spot on the opening lap and went on to score a convincing victory in his 2024 debut. Fifth place starter Jeremy Wonderling muscled his way through the field to finish second with Austin Hauser claiming third. Zack Carley and Dave Dubois completed the top five.
Thus far in 2024 Dog Hollow Speedway has been able to get in two events. On opening day, Braeden Dillinger was the victor with Clate Copeman, New York invader Austin Hauser, Noah Brunell and Scott Stein rounding out the top five. The action on April 26 saw track veteran Mike Laughard claim his first win of the season over West Virginia invader Ryan Hare. Scott Stein, Andrew Koenig and Clate Copeman completed the top five.
Dillinger also scored the opening night victory at Tyler County Speedway at their April 20 opener as he bested fellow Pa. competitor Ryan Frazee. Hayden Jacobs, Logan Reed and Kyle Thomas completed the top five.
Also on April 20, Woodhull Raceway in NY opened their season with track regular Steve LeBarron victorious over Chad Homan, Brett Marlatt, Brian Knowles, and 3C Graphix Futures Cup racer Marshall O’Brian.
Virginia’s Winchester Speedway has been fortunate to complete three events thus far. Kyle Hardy became the third different winner in as many events as he scored the most recent victory on April 27. Jeremiah Marshall picked up the win on April 20 as he led the entire distance of the 20-lap main event. Travis Campbell, Davin Kaiser, Mike Franklin and Tyler Hoy finished second through fifth. Logan Roberson captured the season opener on April 13. The 20-lap event was slowed by eight cautions, but Roberson weathered the challenges of Isaiah Gochenour each time the racing resumed. Gochenour had to settle for the runner-up spot with Davin Kaiser, claiming third. Jeremy Wonderling and Jeremiah Marshal claimed fourth and fifth respectively.
The Hovis RUSH Sportsman Modifieds completed their 2023 season on April 14 as the “Steel City Stampede” event presented by Flynn’s Tire that was rained out last fall at Lernerville Speedway was finally completed. Veteran Garrett Krummert weathered several cautions to score the $800 win- the 27th of his career. Kole Holden, JC Boyer, Jacob Rutana and Chelsie Gallagher completed the top five.
The 2024 RUSH Sportsman Modified season officially kicked off their season on Saturday at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Motor Speedway. Jacob Jordan and JC Boyer led the field to green, but third place starter Kole Holden took command as the field completed lap one. Holden went on to lead the entire distance of the non-stop 15-lap main event to claim his 27th career victory with the Series tying Krummert for second place on the all-time win list. Defending Weekly Series Champion Ayden Cipriano came home in second followed by Boyer, Chelsie Gallagher and Jacob Jordan.
All five of the RUSH Series divisions are scheduled to be in competition this weekend including another venue that will host their first ever RUSH-sanctioned event in Blanket Hill Speedway. The Kittanning, Pa. track will host the first of their monthly appearances by the RUSH Sprint Cars in Sunbelt Rentals Weekly Series competition on Sunday evening.